'Madrassas have no links with terror or terrorists'

A huge conclave of madrassas (seminary) from across the country, under the aegis of Asia's most revered Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom Deoband, on Monday declared that all acts of terrorism as 'unislamic'.

"Rabta Madaris Islamiah Arabia (Islamic Madrassas Association) condemns all kinds of violence and terrorism in the strongest possible terms. Islam has considered mischief, rioting and murder among the severest sins and crimes," said a declaration by an All-India Anti-Terrorism Conference organised by Darul Uloom in the historic town of Deoband in Western Uttar Pradesh.

The declaration accused the government of being 'partial' towards conducting investigations into the cases of terrorism, which were preceded 'by a malicious campaign against these seminaries unleashed by communal forces'.

It also called upon representatives of all schools of Islamic thought not to allow themselves from being led by anti-Islamic or anti-national forces.

Darul Uloom Deoband Chief Rector Maulana Marghoob-ur Rahman said, "We don't have any link or association with terrorism, terrorists, whatsoever. We reject terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Terrorism completely negates the teachings of Islam, which is the faith of love and peace."

"Any terrorist activity which targets innocent people directly, contradicts Islam's concept of peace," Vice-Rector of the seminary Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi said while reading out the speech of Maulana Marghoob-ur

Rahman.

Reciting verses from the Quran, the chief rector asserted that Islam preaches nothing but equality and compassion among all human beings.

"Islamic Madrassas, which are the real flag bearers of the Islamic teachings, hereby declare without mincing words that they don't have any truck with terrorism," the chief rector reiterated.

More than 50,000 students and representatives from madrassas of all schools of Islamic thought -- 'Barelvis', Ahle Hadith and others -- were present on the occasion.

Deoband town, famous for its Islamic madrassas all over the world, has been witness to the path-breaking conference, which is aimed at warding off all allegations against the Islamic seminaries of festering and breeding terrorists.

"Madrassas, spread in every nook and cranny of the country, teach humanity, peace, reconciliation and love," Maulana Marghoob-ur Rahman said.

He also called upon madrassa managements to usher in more transparency in their financial dealings and ensure a pure Islamic environment in their schools.